Descending Stars (Fallen Heroes Series #1)

Simula

Simula

“You tested positive.”

“Amaya, this is good for you, hmm?"

It felt like I was flying on cloud nine, jumping up and down on a cloud. Everything feels so light. The world feels so peaceful.

Umiling ako. This is wrong… please.

Amaya, wake up!

I clenched my fist.

“I don't have a drug addict in my family!"

Stop…

Nangitngit ang mga ngipin ko. Their voices are too loud. I don't want to hear anymore of it…

No, this feels good.

Multiple images kept on flashing in my mind. They were all vivid. Showing how I lost my way, how I hit rock bottom. The pictures were glitching as if an old crashed camera.

I was inside a room. There were… people interrogating me. What…

"N-No. Please! I don't use drugs! Please, believe me!” I saw myself crying and kneeling in front of people with eyes full of judgment and rage.

Mabigat ang paghinga ko.

It's so dark. Why is it so dark?

“Mom!"

The continuous phone ringing made me cry more. Someone… someone help me!

All of that from one voice.

“Amaya…”

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon mula sa isang bangungot. Nasapo ko ang dibdib habang pilit na hinahabol ang hininga. Pawis na pawis ako at ramdam ko ang bigat ng buong katawan.

Halos mapunit ko ang pillowcase sa matindi kong kapit sa unan. Kahit ang kumot ay gulo-gulo na rin.

I didn't even realize I was crying when I felt my teardrops on my arm. Nalingon ko ang salamin at naawa sa sarili.

I bit my arm to stop myself from screaming and crying out loud.

I thought I'm over it. But, little did I know, it's just the beginning where everything stars to fuck up.

“Do you know what kind of disaster you almost brought to this hospital, huh?" The director of the hospital I was working at for a month said.

He clasped his hands and placed them on the table. Sinilip lang niya ang resignation paper ko at muling sumandal sa kanyang swivel chair.

“Even if you don't resign, you'll still be fired," aniya.

I bit my lip. Of course.

Kinuha niya ang papel at pinunit sa kanyang harap ko.

“Leave. By now, you should know that you're not cut out for this work. I don't think there'll be any hospitals who'll accept you," the director added.

I know that so well.

Ngumisi siya at tiningnan ako. “What are your plans now, then? Become a junkie again?"

I gritted my teeth.

“I already threw that kind of life years ago, doc…” I thought it's only in movies where you find fuck up doctors like him but I guess not.

He smirked. “Well, one can miss the old ways, right?”

Mabigat ang paghinga ko na bumaba sa elevator. Maybe, it's still not yet the time.

Sa pintuan ng ospital, I saw Venice smiling and waving as soon as she saw me.

I smiled a little.

“Okay na?" tanong niya.